I didn't with DS, but I'm thinking about it this time.
I didn't with DS, but I'm thinking about it this time.
pomelo / 5720 posts
I did and it was wonderful. I went to the one where we delivered from about 3w-7mos pp and I met two of my best mom friends there!
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
No, but I wouldn't have hesitated to go if I had issues breastfeeding or just felt like I needed the support. I was very fortunate that breastfeeding was pretty easy for us from day 1.
honeydew / 7667 posts
I'm feeling so defeated with BFing that I'm not sure it would help. I don't need more people to see DD cry at my boobs.
GOLD / pomegranate / 3688 posts
Yes. There is a Breastfeeding Center near me that offers all kinds of free classes, including a weekly support group. I did not have any issues BFing, but it was SO NICE to have a place to go every week where I could NIP, change diapers, etc. and it didn't matter if DD cried or was fussy. I made some of my best friends there, which was great for my mat leave and beyond. I will absolutely go again with my next LO.
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
@MrsH: You should go! That's what they're there for. I know the women at the support group near me have seen it all, and they're super knowledgeable.
clementine / 773 posts
I've gone almost every week since LO was 3 weeks old. He's 17 months now. For us, it's as much about socialization as BFing.
@MrsH: I agree, you really should go.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
Just once. It was better than I expected - I was very nervous that I would be made to feel bad about my low supply & supplementing with formula. We didn't go back just because it was a long drive & ultimately it wasn't THAT helpful. I felt like it was more of a social thing than breastfeeding focused, which was fine, but just not a huge motivator for me to drive 45 minutes each way with a newborn.
papaya / 10560 posts
@MrsH: that's how I felt with DS. I wish I had gone in hindsight I think it would have really helped me.
coffee bean / 42 posts
I did, and it was one of the best things I did to help me with bfing. I didn't go until my daughter was 10 weeks, and I really wish I had gone in the early days when there were so many small questions that I really could have used other mommas' advice on. The best part about my group was the listserv that I still use today to ask/answer random questions.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
No, would have loved it the first month after LO 1.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I went once. It was helpful in terms if forcing myself to get out of the house and go somewhere at a certain time, and getting used to nursing somewhere other than home, for sure. We didn't really have any major issues, but I actually ended up feeling more stressed than I was before, but I think that's just me. I'm glad I went and would have gone more if it was more convenient though.
pineapple / 12793 posts
I didn't go but will definitely go next time. We had a lot of trouble with latch, thrush, nipple damage in the beginning. And the support would have been great. At the worst point of BFing I was stuck at home with a non-supportive MIL. That will not happen again.
@MrsH: I was there too. It may be hard to hear, but it does get better. I promise you it does get better. It gets so much better that when you wean you'll miss it. Go to your BFing group, find a good LC. They've seen the tears and know how frustrating it can be. They will help.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
Yes, I attended Le Leche League meetings regularly with both DD and DS. Attended my first when DD was 5 weeks old and I was on my way to quitting (she BF until 15m). I continued to go when I wasn't pregnant and continue to go now even though DS is weaned I'm fairly sure we are done having kids.
cantaloupe / 6730 posts
Yes! I loved it. I wasn't having trouble, but just being with other moms doing the same thing as me made me feel so much less alone. @MrsH: I know it's intimiating to go to something like that for the first time but you should definitely go. The women that go to breastfeeding support groups are not the kind that are going to make you feel bad. Hugs.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
No bc DS wasn't breastfeeding until he was 6 weeks old. I had to pump and bottle feed him since he was so small.
eggplant / 11716 posts
I did. That's how I met most of my mommy friends. And by the way, I was SO worried I would be judged for feeding my baby pumped milk there, but it was not like that AT ALL.. There were moms breastfeeding, formula feeing, feeding pumped milk--all. We were all there because we were struggling, so it made sense in retrospect that we'd be feeding all kinds of ways.
eggplant / 11716 posts
@MrsH: I felt the SAME way, but it helped so much! Seriously!! Going the first time is the hardest part. Even though, ultimately I ended up being an EPer, having that extra help and support when I was in the first stages was invaluable.
grapefruit / 4903 posts
I attended LLL meetings starting when DD was 2 weeks. We still go sometimes for their "parent enrichment" meetings!
pomegranate / 3401 posts
I did.....but the minute I revealed that I was supplementing the facilitator jumped down my throat. She was like, "WHY are you supplementing, you need to get her OFF that formula". I was in tears! I managed to squeak out "well, she was in the NICU and the Dr. advised me to supplement with 2 oz a day...." She was like, "you need to find a new doctor."
Needless to say, I never went back. I get that it's a breastfeeding group. I was just trying to be honest to give them my whole story/background to sort of explain WHY I needed breastfeeding support......
eggplant / 11716 posts
@Ginabean3: that's horrible!!!! My group was nothing like that---at all. It was run by an LC at the hospital, but she was really sweet and supportive of everyone doing whatever they needed. Obviously, she was there to offer us support, look at our latches (if we wanted), do weighted feeds, give advice----but she also would say that the reality of life is that different things work for different people.
What a shame that she made you feel so unwelcome.
squash / 13764 posts
I went once but it was a huge, slightly disorganized group, and LO was much older than the other babies at the time, and I didn't find it that helpful...I think if I had gone in the first month it would have been great!!
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@Ginabean3: Wow. I'd be livid. I'm sorry you had that experience.
I didn't after DS because he was always an excellent breast feeder and we had no issues. I wouldn't hesitate to go though with this upcoming baby if things don't go swimmingly. I've only heard good things about our local BFing support group.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I found a great LC support group that even helped me learn how to pump! It was great!
There were many moms there that had to supplement and were even using SNS systems.
pear / 1698 posts
Yep, 3 times a week during my maternity leave! It helped me get through six weeks of horrible pain and I loved finding out how much LO weighed!
pomegranate / 3401 posts
@coopsmama: @anagram: I know! It was horrible. Next time I'm going to find a better group. Thank goodness for Hellobee....it was nice to be able to come on here and not be judged!
pomegranate / 3895 posts
Yes, I went to a drop-in breastfeeding clinic run by my LC and her colleagues (all LCs and doulas). I cried there a number of times. And I honestly went every week for the first nine weeks of DD's life. It saved our BFing relationship and it was so helpful to be surrounded by other mums and babies who were facing the same struggles. It was seriously like a big, warm hug every week.
honeydew / 7283 posts
I went to a BF support group run by the LC at the hospital where I delivered. It was super laid back, mostly just talking about how things were going not only with BF, but also with caring for a newborn in general. It was great to have people to talk to. It got me out of the house and one of the moms I met there is my best mom friend now. I was SO nervous to go the first time, but I would encourage anyone to go - whether you are having issues breastfeeding or not!
pineapple / 12053 posts
Yep! I went even though I didnt have major issues. It was good to hear what other women were going through that had little ones ahead of me and to hear what was normal.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@matador84: @MrsH: I had a LC come to my house. She was awesome, and truly, the single biggest contributing factor to my continuing to BF. I wish I had called her right away! My DH actually called her for me to schedule the first visit!
papaya / 10560 posts
@MsLipGloss: that is such a great idea! I wonder if insurance covers something like that?!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I wanted to, but I remember feeling so overwhelmed by the idea of leaving the house with her. But the dr really didn't want her to go anywhere with her breathing issues. I think next time I will make more of an effort, though, because I think it would be very helpful and I would like to make some mama friends
nectarine / 2019 posts
@MrsH: There are so many people to identify with. It really is so helpful!
I help run one. However, my biggest support was attending Breast Feeding USA meetings. I was intimidated at La Leche League meetings, but BFUSA seems to be more supportive of all Moms who are breastfeeding. Regardless if it's full time or not. They all seem to say "breastfeeding doesn't have to be all or nothing" and I think that's a much better thought process than what I see at LLL which is more, "everyone must breast feed!"
grapefruit / 4441 posts
I went every week during the first 12-16 weeks, then sporadically after that. It was free, extremely helpful, and I got to meet a lot if really nice moms that way. Mine was at a hospital and run by 2 lactation consultants and a nurse who helped with weighing the babies before and after feeds.
When I heard of it, I thought it would be a group of moms sitti g in a circle, talking about their difficulties, asking questions, etc. the way this particular group was run, there were a bunch of tables in a big room. You put your stuff down, stripped your baby to his/her diaper, then had the baby weighed. Then you went and nursed. Most women did not use any sort of cover, which really surprised me at first, but soon was very comfortable. The lactation consultants circled around and met with each woman individually - checked latch, position/hold, and answered questions. While waiting for my turn, I'd chat with other moms sitting at my table. After each side, the baby would be weighed to see how much milk the baby had taken in. They kept a log sheet and tracked each baby's weight from week to week.
Everyone was very supportive.... even when LO was screaming/crying/on a nursing strike.... and even (or especially) when I was the one crying!
pomelo / 5073 posts
Yes! Our hospital has a lactation club. I've been twice and I love it!
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